Who: Elizabeth and Alucard When: Late May Where: UN Remote Meeting What: Unexpected encounter Rating/Warning: References to recent events Status: Complete
Alucard had not expected to see Elizabeth in the room when he entered, he had made it a point not to accept jobs where he may come into contact with her. Mostly for her benefit since his presence was not welcome. In truth he’d only accepted this UN job because he had assumed she was still on a leave of absence. He knew they’d called her in for the Russia problem but surely they could leave her alone to get over her recent tragedy.
He sighed as he moved towards her, out of earshot of everybody, “I apologise” he began quietly, “Had I known you were back I would not have accepted this job”
Elizabeth turned to look at the familiar voice. “Alucard,” she greeted wearily, giving him a tight smile. “You have nothing to apologise for, this was all thrown together at such short notice we couldn’t have known,” she leaned back against the table as more diplomats and their bodyguards came into the room. “How have you been?”
Alucard inclined his head in acceptance of that statement, "I've been fine thank you. Yourself?" He tried to keep the sympathy from his tone but it wasn't easy. Despite what she may think he wasn't that much of a heartless bastard.
Elizabeth opened her mouth to reply and looked up at him, but she pulled up short. “I...I’ve been better,” she conceded. “A lot better,” if her relationship with Alucard was anything it was about honesty. Their battle of wills a few months ago had proved they could be honest with each other even if they didn’t agree all the time.
“If you need a break or anything just indicate it to me and I’ll get you out of here” he told her crossing his arms as his eyes briefly scanned the room.
“Thanks,” Elizabeth sighed, tossing a glance over her shoulder at the others in the room. “I have not had enough coffee for this,” she groaned, rubbing her face with her hands.
“You know you don’t have to be here, if you aren’t ready” Alucard told her.
“I highly doubt the world is going to wait for me to…” Elizabeth waved a hand in front of her. “To get over myself while it stands on the brink of the next World War,” she sighed, then shook her head. “No, I’m fine. I have to be fine,” she said determinedly. “Well like I said you need out of here for whatever reason you let me know and we’re gone. Just don’t push yourself too hard” he advised.
Elizabeth crooked a smile at that. “You know me, always the first one to sit out from the party.”
Alucard felt himself return the smile, “Indeed” he said softly.
“See, you know me so well,” Elizabeth smiled at him. “How have you been? Working hard?”
“Better than both of us probably want” Alucard admitted easily, “I’m fine. I’ve been assisting my girlfriend with her training. And working when I want to. Nobody has needed shooting you’ll be glad to hear”
Elizabeth pursed her lips and looked at him pointedly with an arched eyebrow before sighing in mock exasperation. “You have a girlfriend? I didn’t know that, who is she?” she asked, changing the subject.
Alucard smirked as she looked at him and sighed, though her question made him realise he’d revealed more about himself than he’d meant to or realised he had. Interesting. “I do. Her name is Integra Hellsing” he informed her, “She’s studying but is also a professional MMA fighter”
“MMA?” Elizabeth’s eyebrows raised in surprise at that. “I bet she can give you a run for your money then,” she teased.
Alucard nodded, “Oh she keeps me on my toes” he agreed, “She’s very good”
“I’d like to meet her one day, maybe she can give me some tips on how to handle you,” Elizabeth joked. More people filed into the room behind her and Elizabeth glanced over, surprised at the level of anxiety building in her stomach.
“Oh I’m sure she’d be more than happy to do that” Alucard replied somewhat resigned. When the others entered the room he could feel the tension in Elizabeth rise, “Remember, just say the word” he said, placing a light hand on her arm.
Elizabeth turned at smiled at him, surprised by the physical contact. She always thought of Alucard as remote and non-tactile, but they hadn’t had the best of introductions, let’s face it. “Thank you,” she told him genuinely before turning the look at some of the other diplomats. “I haven’t seen some of these people since I left Russia. I’m not even sure what the UN told them with regard to my leaving,” she mused.
Generally he was remote, aloof and a number other adjectives but he could also be kind when needed. And he felt it was needed. “They’ve simply said you were on a leave of absence, there’s no need for everybody to know your private business” Elizabeth nodded slowly, biting her lip. She took a deep breath and pushed away from the desk, running her hand through her hair. “That’s good, I suppose,” she tilted her head. “Although it creates more questions than it answers, I’ll need to be ready for them.”
“Just remember, if it’s not pertinent to the discussion at hand then they have no need to know” Alucard said quietly, “You have the same information they do. Not being here then does not impede your ability to do your job now”
“You should consider a career change,” Elizabeth teased quietly after a moment, a small smile quirking at her lips. “You’re a damn good pep talker.”
“Just don’t go telling everybody” Alucard told her pulling out her chair for her as his lips quirked.